This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2001.
This salesman sample ring honoring the 1972-1973 world champion Oakland A's has the distinction of bearing the name of the man who, as with most things, ordered the rings to his very demanding specifications. Charles O. Finley, the flamboyant and volatile owner of the team from 1960-1981, was an innovator who introduced to the game white shoes, orange balls and a mule named, appropriately, Charley O. He was also a controversial figure who frequently had run-ins with his players, as was evident in the 1973 World Series when he fired 2B Mike Andrews after he made two errors, only to be overruled by the commissioner. Still, the A's seemed to thrive on such controversies and beat the Mets in 7 games for the second of 3 straight titles. This excellent condition size-11 ring has a nearly 1K c.z. set against a green stone surrounded by "World Champions 1972 73" in gold. The left shank has the A's logo, "Oakland" and "Finley," while the right shank has "A's 4 Reds 3," "A's 4 Mets 3" and "S+S=S."